Manchester United have reportedly agreed on personal terms with Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt, setting the stage for a potential summer transfer valued at £43 million.
United manager Erik ten Hag is particularly eager to bring De Ligt to Old Trafford, having previously coached the Dutch defender during his tenure at Ajax.
Negotiations with Bayern Munich have been ongoing, with United now securing a verbal agreement on personal terms with De Ligt. Strengthening the central defence is a key priority for United this summer, and De Ligt’s acquisition is seen as a crucial move in bolstering their backline.
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De Ligt, 24, enjoyed significant success under Ten Hag at Ajax, where he was appointed the youngest-ever captain and led the team to the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup titles in the 2018-19 season. The team also made an impressive run to the Champions League semi-finals that year. Following his stint at Ajax, De Ligt transferred to Juventus for £65.6 million in 2019 and then moved to Bayern Munich three years later for £68 million.
Should the deal with Bayern Munich be finalized, United plans to offer De Ligt a five-year contract and position him on the right side of central defence. Currently, De Ligt is with the Netherlands squad, preparing for their Euro 2024 semi-final clash against England. Despite being an unused substitute in the tournament so far, De Ligt’s potential transfer to United is a significant talking point.
In addition to pursuing De Ligt, United are also in advanced talks for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, whose buyout clause stands at £34 million. The club has made a second bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, offering £45 million plus £5 million in add-ons after an initial £35 million bid was rejected. Everton is holding out for closer to £70 million.
United’s recruitment efforts continue as they aim to balance their squad and comply with profit and sustainability rules. Consequently, some player sales are expected, with Mason Greenwood potentially being the first to leave following a £27 million bid from Marseille.
As Ten Hag looks to secure his first summer signing, the potential addition of De Ligt marks a significant step in United’s ambitious plans for the upcoming season.
